GLENCOE HOUSEWALK

A Final Farewell to The 2010 Housewalk

2010-05-21T19:13:00.013-05:00

The day had come, our community would come together to tour the beautiful homes of five generous families that so graciously open their doors to help the Glencoe PTO raise money for our schools and students. The sixth home gave us a resting point for lunch while presenting us with a remarkable view of the golf course to further enhance this special day. The weather couldn't of been more fitting, as the sun shine on these jewels and infuse good vibrations of joy, gratitude and inspiration among all of us.

The housewalk is a smart model for fundraising. The PTO highlights some of our community's natural resources -- talented architects, designers, artists and business people -- in order to raise funds. The event does more than raise money, it raises our sense of community, camaraderie and creativity. Thank you to all of the volunteers and the generous homeowners who worked together to support our children -- it was a beautiful day!" - Beth Karnes

"Each house was unique and beautiful in its own right. Very different styles, all lovely." - Monica David

"I think this years house walk was a fabulous culmination of talent and creativity. Each family who opened up their homes in order to raise money for the PTO should realize that it is beyond generous. I felt lucky to have walked into such magnificent homes and thank each homeowner for sharing their spectacular living spaces." - Kim Flashner

390 Grove was the perfect house to host the luncheon. It was sprawling, with 10,000+ square feet and the back doors opened to the breeze and tranquil landscape of the Skokie Country Club golf course. Worried we wouldn't find any seating, we realized the crowd took very minimal effort to relax because everyone was eager to continue their tour of this monumental home.

The view to Sheridan Road from the Robbins' home. As Michele Gorski so perfectly quoted "nature as artwork on Sheridan Road was inspiring!"

The word wondrous doesn't come close to justify the work of the owner, an architect, who built and design this home for her family. If you don't know Celeste Robbins of Robbins Architecture, now you do. This woman is a genius - from her ideas to the execution, there is nothing left at zero. As a person, even beyond her skillful craft, she is surprisingly approachable for someone who holds the capacity of talent she has. Bits of conversation with her are full of insight. Those who were able to see a glimpse of what she is capable of, now knows she holds a mental library of an almighty. Five steps in, I took a giant leap on my inspiration ladder that still has me thinking days later. Even now and for every chance I get, I will try to sum up my full admiration for her. I've become a devoted fan to her work and know there will never be a day I am completely comfortable in the company of talent like this.

"I cannot get over the privilege of seeing such hallowed space - let alone having the inspired creative genius behind it living right here in our community! Seeing this home was such a joy! It was restrained, calm, artful, environmentally-conscious...just sublime! This home revealed a quiet inspired genius that will fill me up for days and days! Thank you again and again for the opportunity to see this and all of the other homes. Thank you to each of the homeowners for so graciously opening their doors and sharing their unique and beautiful spaces with us. I am so appreciative and so humbled. Thank you to all of you who poured your hearts and souls and time into such a wonderful event. We are all so grateful to you for giving us such a magical day!" - Sharon Graboys as she chats in front of 516 Sheridan

"I look forward to the housewalk every year. It's a great day to see friends and impeccable homes. The two houses that stood out for me this year were the Briar home (which may be my all time favorite) and Celeste Robbin's spa like home. Celeste didn't over look a single detail when designing her new home and the end result is truly spectacular." - Kristin Farrell (far left)

"Briar Lane was a home that I could move into right away. The kitchen and gardens are so cheery and uplifting - I would stay in and cook every night. I loved how the homeowners truly put a piece of themselves into every room, showing their collections, interests, hobbies and family history. I loved all of the treasures collected over the years from flea markets and garage and estate sales placed throughout the house. The art was also so diverse and interesting. My favorite piece was the "Steel Drum Kimono" by Gordon Chandler which took an object of destruction and turned it into an object of beauty." - Deb Wineman

"While all the houses were beautiful, 360 Surfside was my favorite. I thought the wood work was flawless, every single door was amazing and my absolute favorite feature was the reading nook with the fireplace in the master bedroom - that did it for me." - Randi Valerious (as she approaches 360 Surfside)

From every single knob to the dining table with the heirloom jewelry, every detail had to of been conceptualize over years and years of planning, researching and gathering. Maybe it's my emotional understanding that hinders my logical viewpoint, but while others were saying "mediterranean, spanish, modern, glamour, clever", all I could think was, this is love. This is a home that is loved. The owners gave their four girls' a platform to be their own, but at the same time braided their sisterhood with an adjoining common space - a pure reflection of togetherness. Call me nuts, but the sketches in the powder room still stays with me. With daily affection reminders scattered throughout the house, this is home - even as guest, you feel completely grateful and welcomed.

Alison Gold with Michelle Seifman, one of the homeowners on the housewalk.

At 790 Grove, the outside is simply beautiful - but, a peek in the inside, it's built for you to not leave. How clever. If every kid knew there was a sports court hidden in the basement, an outdoor pool that glisten in the back, an arts and craft room for little fingers and a see-thru refrigerator in the kitchen, you many never see your child again. What I loved most about this house is how it combines kids' active lifestyles without losing the spunk of personal style. A complete juggling act for all mothers. This house proves to me that you can still throw hot pink pillows out there and not sweat over spilled milk on zebrawood countertops because hey, there's more to life, like a dip in the pool.

"While all the homes were beautiful and different, I admit the first thing I did when I got home was to make my kids' beds!" - Polly Heavenrich (second from right)

"What an amazing housewalk! The houses were spectacular and the day was perfect. This was my 4th housewalk and the best yet!!" - Laura Ulrich (second from left)

Whenever I visit this home, I feel far away from the Midwest. It feels like I'm in California, ready for an outdoor dinner party or movie screening on the green. No one combines it all like 536 South. A little bit of everything that can intrigue one's wonder on how different eras and styles combined with tangible elements come together to make a house a home. Completely livable, inviting, yet a steady balance of comfort vs. playful. It sits at the edge where you push the envelope to the exact point without going overboard. Talent and confidence - two aspects only an expert has, the work of Katie Rudnick of To The Trade, a local interior designer and fellow contributor to the blog who helped put the finishing touches on this Mediterranean wonder.

"What a beautiful day for beautiful homes!" - Katie Rudnick with Pam Maher, interior designer of the basement of 4 Briar Lane. A powerhouse of two talented, brilliant, perceptive design whizz.

"The day could not have been better. Thank you to all homeowners, volunteers and participants for making a long year of hard work worth all the effort! There was truly something for everyone with the diversity of home styles and decor, and the event was a wonderful way to bring the community together to support our students."- Loree Sandler (co-chair of The 2010 Glencoe Housewalk)

The sense of community buzzing around town on Housewalk Wednesday was infectious. The glorious sun was shining outside on six beautiful featured homes in Glencoe with rays of warmth of heartfelt living radiating on the inside. From the starting to the finish line, The 2010 Glencoe PTO Housewalk was destined to be nothing less than fabulous and it was more than spectacular! The hours spent by homeowners, volunteers and co-chairs Loree Sandler and myself were uncountable at times, unthinkable. The energy was always high with that end goal in mind:offering a housewalk to all that would have a little something for everyone as well as raise money for our kids attending Glencoe Schools. The final product offered at this year's housewalk was a collection of brand new, as in 3 months to charmingly old, as in the early 1900's and somewhere in between. Cherished travel pieces and character and historic treasures and family memories not to mention a golf course view, a sports court and a nature-filled ravine were some of the highlights captured by walk attendees. The balloons are gone now, but hopefully the memories of these six spectacular homes will linger on for a while. The housewalk emails are diminishing as I breath a sigh of relief and smile with the feeling of a job well done. My sites are set on enjoying those lazy summer days of Glencoe living with my wonderful children and husband. PEACE, LOVE, HOMERUN!" - Kathy Deveny (co-chair of The 2010 Glencoe Housewalk)

For All Attendees...

2010-05-16T09:02:00.003-05:00

Thank you for your support
of this year’s Glencoe PTO Housewalk.

The following information should help you plan your day:

• On May 19, anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., you and your guests must appear in person to sign a waiver and obtain your Housewalk map under the portico at the Glencoe Train Station.

• Homes will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with last entry at 2:15 p.m.

• A box lunch will be served between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at one of the Housewalk homes.

• We recommend comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella...just in case.

• Children under 12, including babies in carriers, will not be permitted in the homes.

• Please respect parking instructions to allow for smooth traffic flow.

• Prior to entering each home, you will be asked to put on “booties” in order to protect the homeowner’s floors and carpets.

• Smoking, eating and cameras will not be permitted in the homes.

• No large purses or totes, please. Small handbags are preferable.

• Please allow enough time to see all the homes and enjoy a complimentary lunch.

Thank you for joining us on this very special day. Enjoy! Questions?

Contact Julie Hayes (teamhayes@yahoo.com or 847‐835‐9062)

Design Details of A Featured Home on This Year's Housewalk

2010-05-11T15:51:00.000-05:00

As an architect and interior designer, I love the challenge of creating spaces that are truly an expression of how the family lives. The continuous process of getting to know my clients is one of my favorite parts of a design project. I will recommend to start that they go through magazines, take photos of what inspires or excites them and think about their values, lifestyle and what types of spaces make them feel comfortable. This type of collaboration with your architect and/or interior designer is such a vital beginning to any design project – the goal is to create spaces that reflect the client.

For my design process, I like to start with the big picture – how does each space within the home relate to the other spaces around it? When you walk into the space, what do you want to perceive and how do you want to feel? This helps me to create a sequence throughout the home of spaces that suit a family’s lifestyle. I next begin the layering process and think about how details, color and texture and the relationship between these elements can reinforce the larger design concepts that we want to achieve.

I recently completed architectural and design work on a newly constructed home in Glencoe that really illustrates the impact of detail. As the design of this house evolved, I began to get a feel for the overall concept: a thoughtful contrast between clean/sleek and vintage. It became very interesting how unusual vintage pieces could bring to life the more streamlined design elements of the home. The images below will take you on a mini tour of the home through the unique detailing!

The doors provide many of the striking details of this residence; every door in the home is a unique vintage piece. This detail from the iron door that leads to the garage was originally from a wine cellar in France.

This is another interesting vintage iron piece; these screens flank the dining room bar and conceal functional shelving.

For the lower level fireplace, I created a twist on the standard fireplace design with these painted resin flowers and tile. The richness of the detail creates a sort of quiet surprise when you first see it – a feeling that we wanted to incorporate throughout the home.

We added whimsical touches to this very modern spa bathroom. This is a free-standing glass wall with embedded dyed leaves, and I wanted the light fixture to feel like a charm bracelet.

This is an example of how detail can help a large space feel cozy and intimate. The vintage fixture in this entryway is from France, and the brick is antique common brick salvaged from Chicago buildings.

I think the floor-to-ceiling richly textured tiled wall in this powder room is a great example of how to use lots of texture without exhausting the eye. The fixtures and other walls are kept very clean and simple to give the eye a place to rest.

Sometimes a structural challenge can be a great opportunity to use innovative design and detail. This

house has a partial steel structure with some exposed columns. I wanted to dress the column to keep with the feel of the house and used reclaimed barn wood timbers and vintage doors to create functional cabinets while simultaneously concealing the column.

I hope I’ve given you an idea of how texture and detail can bring interest to a space! Attend the Glencoe PTO Housewalk to see firsthand the relationship between the detail and overall design of this residence.

Submitted: by Terri Crittenden, Architect and Interior Designer

Susan Fredman Design Group

350 West Erie, Chicago IL

312.587.8150

www.SusanFredman.com

Sneak Peak at House Number Three

2010-05-08T07:53:00.000-05:00

Serenity Within Herself and Spoken In Her Home

2010-05-04T23:29:00.002-05:00

Our house is an eclectic mix of old and new, east and west, bold and subdued. We moved into our house 8 years ago and tried to furnish it without buying everything new. We tried to use the furnishings from our city townhouse as well as some great hand-me-downs and family antiques. We reupholstered several old pieces, using indestructible fabrics. I guess you could say that is the thing we love most about our house, it is very comfortable, homey and livable. I never wanted to have certain rooms “off limits” to our young kids, so we chose strong, dark, patterned fabrics, vinyl wall coverings and salvaged woods.

Our family room is where we spend most of our time as a family. We have a tv, of course and games, puzzles and art supplies hidden in every cabinet. We have a game table that can open into 60” round table, where everyone does homework; there are always a few laptops on there. Recently we put in a stone fireplace and wooden mantle inspired by recent trips to Colorado, which really gives the room a warm, cozy feeling. We have an old working Victrola phonograph which was in my family room growing up – it was even old back then.

There is a small screened-in porch, which during the warmer months, becomes an extension to the family room. During the day, you will find me sitting out there on my lap top working and night having a late night snack.

We tried to keep the more formal areas of the house comfortable and casual as well with a jewel-toned color palette and a mixture of ethnic art and artifacts. My family was very international and I have been the lucky recipient of sculptures and prints from around the world. We have traveled a little too (before kids!) and have a few pieces that preserve special memories. One of my most treasured are two wooden shadow puppets that we bought in Indonesia which I mounted on linen and display in our powder room.

Our powder room was my first real project in the house. (That is another thing that makes my house special – we did most of the improvements and decorating ourselves. My husband and sister are very handy, so actually avoided hiring a lot of electricians, carpenters and designers. At the same time, it has taken years to complete some projects). When we moved in, our powder room had white walls, a white pedestal sink and an exposed light bulb off-center above the sink. I installed antique sconces and small chandelier, framed a mirror and replaced the pedestal with a Mexican cabinet with copper wooden bowl. I hung rust colored vinyl wallpaper that looks like grass cloth, but can withstand moisture.

I have an oddly long mudroom that is a favorite feature in the house. I can leave it messy and shut the door – and no one knows it is back there. My kids set up an office back there – where they hand pictures, artwork and use a computer. It has so much cabinet and closet space, I actually have some empty cabinets and shelves. The mudroom also doubles as a laundry room. I started a collection of antique laundry items such as washboards, irons, clothespins, etc. which I display on top of cabinets above the washer and dryer. This is my attempt to make laundry artful.

One of my sons shares our enthusiasm for collecting. He has filled his room with sports memorabilia that he has collected himself. He has the opportunity to attend many events because his dad’s business is providing food for sports teams. He is never without a black Sharpie and something to autograph at every event. One of his prize possessions is a signed basketball shoe by Baron Davis when he was on the Golden State Warriors that he actually wore in the game.

My favorite room is my yoga room. I have a small octagonal room off my bedroom with a gas fireplace that heats up the room. I teach yoga (hot yoga too) – and I think of this little octagon as my own little hot practice studio. I keep all of my yoga books, journals, a computer, iPod and DVDs in there – and I spend a lot of time reading, practicing and making sequences and music mixes for the classes I teach. The room is very sparsely decorated, as is my bedroom, and it has a very calming, serene feeling. Although there is only room for one mat, it is a perfect sanctuary for me. Yoga is experiential – to understand it, you need to feel it in your own body and mind. I feel that to be an effective teacher, I need to have my own personal practice, so I can fully experience and understand certain postures, sequences and breath techniques feel before I teach them.

I have several Buddhas placed throughout my house that I have collected over the years. I have always been interested in eastern philosophy and religions. My favorite Buddha is an antique stone Buddha from Cambodia that my grandma brought back from the far east. I like to keep it in my yoga room as an inspiration to continue to spread and teach peace through yoga.

Sneak Peak at House Number Two

2010-04-29T09:23:00.002-05:00

Inspired By Nature

2010-04-27T14:43:00.000-05:00

Jenny is family to me so her home is naturally my home away from home, lucky for me! Whenever I visit, I feel like I'm off at a resort; checking in to comfort, simplicity and peace of mind. Her home has a stamp of a "zen" seal. Not only in the interior excellence, but in the potency that speaks throughout the rooms. This home with its carefully composed elements speaks to all five senses easing out any blues one can carry. Welcome to Resort a'la zen.

Where do you find inspiration?

"I am always in awe of..... and inspired by nature."

Who is your style icon?

"The architectural and design team for The Aman Resorts."

Describe your style...

My style preference is minimalist, natural, clean-lines, solid colors found in nature, a wide assortment of textures and finishes, natural and candle light, an environment that appeals to all five senses, placement of objects considering the positive/negative visual in space and repetition of like things.

When building your house, what were the most important things for your new home?

While attending design school in San Francisco, I explored the area of "green architecture" and that became the theme from which all other decisions (when possible) were based as we built our family home. Another important aspect we considered during the design phase was my husband's height (6' 6") and his day to day tasks as ergonomic for him where ever possible.

Describe your master bathroom...

"My bathroom is one of my most favorite spaces because it always makes me feel happy, calm and fortunate. Because the house was new and felt new, I sprinkled antique chinese furniture pieces, two of which became his/her bathroom consoles-functional and soulful."

And the bathroom...perfection...speaking of which, I think this is the first master bath we showed on the blog. This being the only bathroom posted is enough eye candy to carry the blog to its final chapter. Don't you think?

Sneak Peak at House Number One

2010-04-25T22:34:00.001-05:00

as you enter...

just a typical interior door of this house...

A View That Fuels

2010-04-23T01:29:00.002-05:00

Imagine having this view, right here in Glencoe from your back yard. Did you know there could be so much solitude away from the waves of our beloved lake? I could get use to this, I may even forget that we have a beach nearby. This is the view Beth gets to see everyday. This alone would inspire me for weeks. Here, she shares her ideas on easy, breezy living. And I'm sure, the view helps. In her own words:

"The best decorating tip I've heard: start an “I love it file.” This is different than a file of decorated room photos or furniture tear sheets. The idea is to gradually add photos (or anything that fits) to a file without over-thinking why. When you collect photos or clippings just because you love it, patterns emerge, making it easer to define your style in a personal and authentic way. A dedication to those deeply personal preferences inspires design solutions that are original, genuine and long lasting. This exercise gave me the confidence to place a Pier One lamp next to a Mike Bell chair -- because I love it."

"I like dappled sunlight, hydrangeas, natural or landscaped pathways, and inviting cozy settings that make you want to curl up and read a book. Some of the things my folder includes are: a photo of families sitting around an outdoor fire pit, snapshots of casual sundrenched rooms, a few pieces of sea-glass, and this quote by Parisian decorator Andree Putman," “"Style comes from that secret knowledge that modest things can be more beautiful than anything expensive.""

"My favorite Artwork: a painting from Melanee Cooper Gallery, Chicago The Gift, by Susan Hall."

"My most functional design solution: a 4’ x 10’ mini office for me. Most closets could be converted into this clutter-reducing, smile-producing version of “mom'’s "command central”." The previous owner of my home cleverly designed this cozy space. Gaelynn added an external mail box on one side, a recycling bin on the other, a desk, file cabinets and most importantly sliding doors to close it off when it gets too messy! I work out of my home part time for the Center on Media and Child Health so this space is very important to me."

"Another functional design solution: Often needing to seat 20 people at once, I switched my dining room and living room. We have double the seating and enjoy dining in front of the fireplace."

This dog has the right idea. He is immersing in the serenity this house has. Exactly my thought on my visit. I wanted to sit down and relax, too. This house does that to you, it makes you feel as though you are an extension of Glencoe, as though you are on vacation. Imagine that, the best of both worlds.

Marriage of Old World Charm with Modern Day Taste and Lifestyle

2010-04-20T00:27:00.005-05:00

Sonya and David purchased their 1914, hybrid of Prairie, Craftsman and Bungalow style home eight years ago. It took them two years to completely gutted it and move their pre-suburbia/post city lives to Glencoe. They kept the house true to the original facade, while adding more space throughout and gave it much needed love and attention. Sonya remembers walking through the house for the first time afraid of falling through the second floor. It needed a total overhaul, but the couple wanted to sustain its early 1900 charm. The house has the historical certification through the Village of Glencoe. While keeping the old allure present, they perfectly marriage it with modern day taste and lifestyle. Without hesitation, I blurbed out to Sonya upon meeting her for the first time, "this is the kind of house everyone wants to grow up in." It's true and you'll see why.

When you first walk in, Sonya eclectic style strikes you immediately. You are welcome with a desk that has traveled many years with her and sentimental trinkets sent from her mom who lives in Africa, scattered around it. There's a stack of mail in one of the slots and automatically I knew, "there is real living in this house." It's unpretentious - it's exactly the feel you want to greet your guest with.

The common correlation in her home, room to room, are these picture rails. Though the rails are not original to the house itself, Sonya wanted to keep as much history by adding this very common detail from the early 1900's. I'm still scratching my head about this one. Why did we ever fall off the tracks with this practical system? Sonya said the picture rails "allows us to move art work around and actually, we move them around more than we thought we would." You can find picture rail systems at: http://houseofantiquehardware.com/

As I wander around, I noticed all the fascinating artwork on display. Artwork that is, like the feel of her front room, unpretentious. It naturally welcomes you to ask. Sonya likes supporting local, young and emerging artists. These still-life prints are two of her favorites. They are by an artist named Jin Lee. http://www.jinslee.net/ I asked her "why support young artist versus well known ones?" She said, "I like the stories about the art and for me, I like to connect with the artist." Good point, art shouldn't end at the last stroke of a paint brush or the click of a shutter speed, but after the story has been told.

One of Sonya's favorite furniture piece is the dining room table. A new addition to the house; the process in finding a table best suited for the space and had the durability that could withhold natural child's play took awhile. She wanted a table that was airy and light, that wouldn't suffocated the room with added wood. She enlisted on a reliable source for the hunt: Lawrence Converso at The Merchandise Mart who specialize in finding mid-century furniture. http://www.conversomod.com/search.php

Another favorite artist is Noelle Allen http://noelleallen.com/home.html. What Noelle does is truly spectacular. For this particular piece, Noelle spent a good amount of time at the zoo and went behind the scenes to study the decay of a bird. She sketch the process of what is normally disturbing and interpret into a beautiful and peaceful story.

I noticed and inquired about this colorful piece in her family room. It was created by William O'Brien. Sonya originally found William's art through David Devening, a director and artist himself, who helps local and young artists by exhibiting their work at his gallery. After her purchase, in 2005 William scored an exhibit space at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. He later created the album artwork for Grizzly Bear, a folk rock band's 3rd album. A true testament on discovering talented artists well before their career takes off. http://deveningprojects.com/

In my opinion, some of the best artists are those who work in two. Husband and wife, Nathan and Amanda Grubich "create soda-fired ceramics that bridge the gap between sculpture and function." When she purchased the team's creations, the creating duo was kind enough to come by on their travels and help hang the pieces in Sonya and David's home. Particular about his work, artist Nathan, even created a special addition to add to the installation to perfect it. http://www.ludingtonreddoor.com/about_red_door.html

I'm weak in love with breakfast nooks. Probably because I know it's the area a family uses the most - not just for eating, but for doing homework, working on projects and playing hours of board games. This one earns extra points for how much light it gets. Can you believe it? How could you ever leave this room?

I love meeting other moms that are DIY's. (do it yourself-ers) Not only to exchange ideas and share creative juices with, but to know I'm not completely insane or too old to still craft and tear out magazine clippings of projects I want to tackle on. When I peeked through Sonya's "space", I wanted to sit and start cutting, sewing and stamping. What I admired most about this room besides her representation of what she's capable of, but that she includes her girls as part of her space. A picture perfect setting is when you see a Victorian chair next to a crate of building blocks. This simply says "whatever is mine, is yours."

Some women speak to each other through their shoes, their purse, political views, sometimes even through their Starbucks order. What speaks to me? When another woman has an inspiration board. I automatically hope we can be friends. There's something special about the breed of women who clips and pins pictures or words that inspires them. It's a humbling act, because like them, I'm still gathering, absorbing, learning and collecting.

My main reason why this is the perfect house to grow up in? The art and craft room! The lucky girls, Claudia and Vivian who get to grow up here not only share a room packed with potential projects, but it is completely kid-directed. There are two saw tables for each girl to have their own space. It was important to Sonya to "create a space that they can work in and leave the projects without being interuppted." Incredibly thoughtful.

Not only creative kids, but enviromentally friendly, too. Underneath the table, you'll find a crate full of no longer needed egg cartons, boxes, toilet rolls, etc. She encourages the girls to work with raw materials and be creative with the less obvious choices. And boy do they! They use painter tape (a well-loved item in this house) to showcase their artwork and outline one of the girl's full body in the picture below.

Finished with a pair of shoes her daughter made from scraps paper, tape and string. How talented is that?

Completely amazed at these little girls' creativity, I asked Sonya "is art your girls' strongest talents?" She said "no, they enjoy it, but it's not what they are strongest at." Really? Just to show how a home environment can fuel a child's creativity and make it a part of her everyday life.

Behind Every Talented, DIY, Treasure Hunter is a list of favorites, Sonya was kind enough to share hers with us:

a marketplace of collected goods.

to find a basket like the one that holds her building A-Z collection: http://www.blackashbaskets.com/

a fun online kid magazine filled with treasure finds and unique ideas

a good source for finding inspiring prints by inspiring artists

The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair Preview Night

2010-04-16T15:35:00.005-05:00

Ten years they been doing this and this is my year one, where have I been? If you never been, where have YOU been?

Since I started this blog all my fellow contributors have talking about this yearly event - The Preview Night. There is not one ounce of inclination on how important it is to go. Every time they spoke these three words, The Preview Night, they gasp with enormous admiration. I could never fully grasp the concept other than "it's beautiful, it's the best, you have to go".

I went, I saw and I love.

I'll start by first and foremost, expressing my loved night with the garden itself. Never a dull speck of space, always breath-taking and always a reminder of how fortunate we are to enjoy this in our very own town. Bravo, bravo, to you, The Chicago Botanic Garden for continuously providing us with your beauty season after season.

I didn't know what to expect being a newbie to this annual event anticipated by so many trusted sources. It is truly by far the most attractive, catered to your presence and inspirational filled night of the year. How extraordinary it was to shop an array of treasures, treasures you only dream of; while garden trolleys are gracefully pushed around with decadent hors· d'oeuvres at your finger's reach. This all surrounded by the priceless gift of nature and the night sky. It's one of a kind. Who does this? Nobody.

The Preview Night allows you to visit the fair on Thursday night before it's open to the public. There are more than 100 carefully selected dealers from the United States and Europe. There are also landscape gardens showcased by local businesses and an array of stunning floral arrangements by Chicago's area leading floral designers. There are four buffet areas, a la carte stations scattered throughout the grounds, hors d'oeuvre at every corner you turn, open bar - stationed exactly where you need it (genius how they figured this one out) while keeping every walking space spotless and free to roam.

To clarify, it's not just a night to shop, but a night to enjoy and appreciate these infinite jewels and the people who work countless hours with blood, sweat and tears to maintain the significant value of these time traveled gems. I commend all the dealers for understanding and appreciating the value of these eternal pieces and finding them well-loved homes.

I met Denise Odell of Bleeker Street Antiques at Booth #201. (pictured above) If you haven't read this week's Daily Candy, you're behind on the craze of her shop and her findings. Pure joy and makes you want to re-do your entire house. Find the article here.

Pictured above is Balsamo Antiques (booth #614) of Pine Plains, New York. Extremely well crafted chairs, pottery and outdoor planters. Exquisite at its finest.

A very kind and sweet man, John Anderson of Unearthed (booth #307) from Madison, Wisconsin brought incredible pieces like the steel metal cabinet above and very raw and industrial curios like old oil cans and glass bottles. This is the kind of dealer you meet who loves his finds and want you to love it, too.

My date of the night, Sharon and I ran into our friend, Kathy of Glencoe's Vintage Swank. Kathy sells vintage goods in her home. You can read her feature on our blog here.

Clearly, if these two wrote a blog, it would feed my style soul, Kathy and Ann.

One of my favorite booths was Thistle. Booth #306 (picture above) A local shop with unforgettable finds. My friend kept eyeing a chain link they hung about 9 feet long vertically. We came back to admire it furthermore and it was gone, Sold. Not surprised, someone caught on.

A very near and dear shop, The Find (booth #814) in Highwood and a rented space in The Heritage Mall located in Wilmette. They showcased their must-haves decorative pieces. What's nice about these items is that, you can rotate them out in your home from one room to another. How completely spectacular would your coffee table be with a pair of dice an a set of jacks?

I thought these were beautifully-crafted. This is a set of four framed hand-braided mens ties weaving in a circle. You can find these at The Find. Under $300 each, definitely artwork your hubby would not mind. A close up below:

Six beautiful ladies of Glencoe. Dashing, as always!

Kathy Deveny, co-chair of this year's Housewalk with Preview Night co-chair, Betsy Karp. Both working very hard on the must-have tickets of the year. Thank you, thank you!

A noticed and repeated item throughout the fair were these framed thin shadow boxes of vintage sporting wear. These were a a part of Vintage Sports Equipment, A Division of J. Harris Antiques at Booth #206 from Kansas City, Missouri.

Another re-accuring appearance were these doll face molds. It takes a special presentation to pull these off without being off the wall. The amount of relief in rescuing something that near and dear to all of us could do it for me. I know, it's not for everyone.

When I read that there would be dealers from Europe, I thought maybe it meant the dealer had another space in Europe. How could it be, someone would travel to Chicago to bring us goods from a faraway land? How admirable, how lovely if it was true. Then I saw the sign "Paris, France", this is Grislain Antiques' (booth #209) second year at the fair. He had endless "sold" tags. He promised to replenish his supply tomorrow. I want to go back to see what else he's hiding in his crate.

Bloch Antiques (booth #100) also a distant traveler from London was kind of enough to grace us with their presence. This might be a good reason to hit the fair Sunday night as I'm sure these guys will not like to pack and ship any leftover items back.

Always a favorite space in the garden, The Krehbiel Gallery was delicately decorated as an outdoor picnic. Just look at the grass-lined seating and paper kites. Anyone getting married who needs a fun and unique space?

Emily, my very first introduction to The Preview Night and her purchase. It is always exciting to dissect and raid what someone is bringing home.

A walking piece of art herself, Simone. Love her dress? If you could see the shoes. Of course, she has a boutique. Find the collection at her store in Winnetka. http://simonesboutique.com/

Valerie, someone you should consult with on every decorating notion in your house, here with her friends.

Last, but not least the lovely Dana. (sorry if you are sick of seeing my face as she would not take a photo on her own, I probably wouldn't either) She has not read the blog, a reminder that if you are reading it and want to share it with your friends from Glencoe, please forward it on. We are in our final stages and will be topping it off with a bang close to the Housewalk.

If you can spare an hour or two, you MUST visit The Antique and Garden Fair at The Chicago Botanic Garden this weekend. The event is open Friday - Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm. One day passes are $15 each. It is well worth every dollar to feel truly inspired and support these masters of their work. The garden is absolutely stunning right now and it's a healthy reminder of timeless beauty and artful composition.

You can find more information on The Chicago Botanic Garden Antique and Garden Fair here.

Vintage Swank

2010-04-13T12:20:00.010-05:00

What I treasure most when I meet another mother is how her face lights up when she talks about her kids. I want to immerse in it like a pool of magic potion. I don't know what is better, to be a mother who is completely in awe with her children or to be a child completely loved by my mother. Both have no speck of blemish and I was touched by this pure and natural love story, it created commotion in my heart right then and there. I settled with a sigh of contentment and reminded myself to be both, always the best mother I can be and be the best daughter possible. What caused this frenzy inside of me was a visit to my new and soon to be life long friend (if she'll let me) and the best kept secret in Glencoe, Kathy and her "Vintage Swank".

When I asked Kathy about her children, her answers steadily flow with happiness and triumph. I was so consume with their talents and passions, that I could of just blogged about their lives. From the stories she shared, these kids who grew up on the same playground as the one my kids are playing on now have become dynamic young adults. I want her smile to be the one I aspire to. Her youngest and only son Joe, is finishing up barber school in the city. I mean, how cool is that? There is a picture of him on the wall in his room, a young Jimmy Dean? A man born in the early 90s, but transported from a different era - the picture vibrates "old soul". It's gets you - you paused to think "is he famous, did he write an amazing screen play, record a hit song from his backyard". Her love for her children easily layers into her love for vintage items.

As an inspiration from her son, she's collected men's vintage grooming products and displays them in the clear open living space. Now, a empty nester and long-time single mom, this house still represents the children who grew up here. The harmony of both, what use to be and what is now, yelps "we are many people, but we are one".

Kathy has been collecting, buying and selling for 10 years now. She searches high and low for what she loves. She saids there has to be an "integrity piece" in purchasing these items. Clearly, that's the common denominator when it comes to collecting. If you love it, it will work - it's how these talented women bound these found objects from different eras, scopes of life and purpose, together. The taste is consistent and these treasures share the same elements - eclectic, some call it. Brilliantly compose, I say.

To ask this, almost always guarantee a pause in a conversation, "what is your favorite piece?" It may be a novice question to ask, but I want to know. Kathy pointed out this Greyhound laying low in her living room. She found this at the nearby Winnetka Antique show. It is originally from a Greyhound bus from the 1950s. What a treasured and best friend to have around.

Kathy's style has evolve over time. When she was married, she lived in a very traditional home with traditional things and when she got divorced, she shed her layers. The first thing she did with her style evolution was slap leopard printed carpet on her stairs. It's the first thing you see when you walk in and I even asked her, "Do you ever throw parties here?" A perfect venue for a girl's night out not far away from home.

One of Kathy's advice when starting to collect items for your home is "to bring a new item in and arrange it with what you have". Another good pointer is that "you never find what you are looking for", so "don't be afraid to mix it up". Know that it "takes time".

"It doesn't have to work for you to work with it" she adds. This part of her home is a true testament to this philosophy. Take a look at the disco ball hanging from the ceiling matched with the white organic-like puff accenting the heavy renaissance wood. Now look at the rest of the elements: chipped white paint of the framed mirror, texture and color of the pillows, leopard print rug - it works, but you would of never imagine it would.

Here's the perfect reflection of a woman being true to herself. She bought home this polished sculpture of a dog that she loves. Here he sits guarding her fireplace - she adds warmth by adding a roughed up plaque and delicacy of an angel wing and glistened it with a jar of marbles. Done and done.

A collection typically starts with discovering one piece and an urge to add more streams along. Kathy's main obsession is anything "Hollywood Glam" like these portraits of women throughout her home. People might feel uncanny to display portraits of someone they don't know. I find the concept quite alluring - it gives me a reason to make up a story. Don't feel incline to just showcase who you know. The not knowing is captivating.

Another reason to love this woman. Carrie Bradshaw would be so proud! In Kathy's room, she jelled up a lovely dressing area and displays her shoe collection. A splendid representation of how to re-configure those blank spaces and re-invent the obvious choices with the eccentric reasons.

Another advice she gives is to "not plan for so much", when you are collecting. Mix high end finds with more moderately price pieces. If you don't care about imperfections, the heart aches will be less and less and you'll learn to appreciate these pieces even more.

Here's a picture of one of her daughters' room, Rachel. Rachel lives in New York City and is an assistant to a Fashion stylist (can we say dream job?). She writes her own blog: http://thingsilikerightnow.blogspot.com/ . I checked it out and the apple does not fall far from the tree. She's a genius, you don't just teach yourself a good eye - you're born with it. Must be a trait she inherited from her own mother.

In Rachel's room, you'll find these lovely pink flamingos - so out touch, but so perfect. So sweet and darling, yet sassy. Who would of thought?

Her younger daughter, Becca is at the University of Arizona studying Phlebotomy. Her room has been transformed into Kathy's business "Vintage Swank". In her own home, Kathy sells vintage pieces she's collected over the years. She's done all the hard work for you and right here in Glencoe, you have your very own vintage shop. If you are an avid collector, you know the biggest downfall is the time it takes to find something unique and the process of getting it home. She eliminates both those for you. If you're new to this, her home is the place to start. It's inviting and she'll guide you through the art of collecting. You'll find something that speaks to you (trust me, there's are many) and you can start your adventure from here on out. The plus side, (my own plug) you can buy a whole vignette because her work and talent has compose all these finds to be completely intended.

Not only does she sell items, you can consign her to find pieces for you. My personal advice with my own noted journey, when you know someone who has the "ins" with the dealers, chances are you and me being an "out" will have better luck with Kathy, our gal for the task. Typically, a trusted friend in the "community" will get first dibs and negotiate better deals - only in return will help you and me on our endless and exhausting mission.

Vintage Swank is the after-life post to her former spaces. If you been or missed Kathy's past estate sale, visiting her shop will be well worth the 10 steps away from your own home. If you'll like to shop her collection right here in Glencoe, you can contact Kathy at: kgw7@aol.com. Tell all your friends, I bet they had no idea Vintage Swank even existed.

Alice's Birthday Surprise

2010-04-07T21:31:00.005-05:00

I fondly remember my silhouette hanging on my parents' wall growing up. It was a class project. My teacher had us lined up against a white background with a light shining from a distant as she carefully traced our profiles. It later landed a prominent spot on our family's treasured wall. I was the only one with a silhouette and always imagined how much better it would of been if there was one of my sister and brother to hang beside mine. If you don't already have silhouettes of each of your children hanging somewhere in your home, I'm sure there's been a time you wanted to. They are a classic remembrance of our childhood and showcase an unforgettable elegance.

When my good friend, Alice's birthday was coming up, I thought I would take the opportunity to create silhouettes of her children as a surprise gift. I wasn't sure if it was her kind of thing and already prepared myself for rejection since it was semi-handmade. But, I went with it anyway. Her kids were spending the night at my house and I took a picture of each one's profile. I told them to act natural - always harder when they actually hear those words. Nowadays, it's such a simpler task to make silhouettes. With their pictures, I printed each on a card stock. I cut it carefully and finished it with a coat of black paint. I adhere it to another a heavy card stock and framed them in a basic black frame. When she opened them, she said the exact thing I would of "I always wanted to do this with my kids, but it was always so expensive". Not any more, it's an effortless and easy night project and by the morning, you create a souvenir of your children's childhood to be cherished forever.

If you have any questions on how to create your own or need my help to create ones of your children, jot me an email at: maleesaxiong@gmail.com. I would love to do this for every child I know and if your birthday is coming up, be ready for your own.

A Show of Appreciation...

2010-03-26T09:35:00.001-05:00

I tend to have and lose habits all the time, both good and bad. The one good habit I try to keep is sending thank you notes. To me, it's the least I can do to show appreciation and acknowledgement for a kind gesture. One of my resolutions this year was to make it a priority and do it with extra effort. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

I try to include a photo (always carry a camera with you) - I order my photos on-line at www.snapfish.com, wallet-sized, a matte finish and white border - classic! The turn around time is fast - so expect your pictures in 2-3 days.
Paper Source, my reliable source for paper and such. Typically, I don't walk out with what I went in looking for. I go in looking for solutions. The people are helpful and the store will have inspirations for you in case you're not sure what to do.
Address labels, you can find really inexpensive ones at office stores, like Office Max and Staples. I even use the ones at the post office, I think those are fun. It's an added bonus for addressing envelopes and shows that you gave what carried the note extra attention.
Micron Pens, for as long as I can remember, these are the only pens I use. They are literally scatter everywhere in my house, car, purse...I use a black 03 point, but they come an array of colors and points.
A portable paper cutter, one of the my most used craft item. No need to spend a lot of money on this, you can change the blades if they ever go dull.
The Glencoe PTO Directory, order a few extras next time, my "go-to" for everything; class list, phone numbers, emails, addresses. One in my car, my office...what would we do without this?
Get addresses of family and friends, how many email addresses do you have with no mailing addresses? I keep my addresses in an index card box with tabs A-Z. I write the addresses on index cards with family names and birthdays.
Michaels Arts & Crafts Store - get ready to get side-tracked. I use different ways to add a touch to the cards I'm sending. For those in the above picture, I am securing the photos to the cards by hole-punching a hole through both photo and card and securing it in place by brads.(see picture below)

My finished product is ready to be mail to all my participants with the blog. Thank you to everyone who's contributed and hope to send many more thank you's in the next upcoming weeks.

Kendra (part 2) Shows Us Some Creative Ways For Storage

2010-03-26T09:11:00.000-05:00

Kendra converted a front closet to an impromptu mud room. Each basket is utilized to store shoes, weather accessories and knick knacks. A bench was added, along with shelfs making sure every square inch has a purpose. Wallpaper and a delicate lighting fixture adds the finishing touches.

You'll notice all her writing utensils on her kitchen island. Kendra uses an old Coca Cola bottle crate to hold markers, pencils and scissors. All within reach for homework and projects.

Here, she uses a tier fruit bowl holder to store mittens, hats and winter accessories. An easy reference corner for "Mom, where are my mittens?"

Kendra's place for her jewelry, "I used a painted board and hammered a lot of nails everywhere. Now I can see everything at once, instead of a tangled clump in a drawer."

"The hallway to my kids rooms, decorated with their art work. I have always liked these self portraits made in art class at South School."

Another reason why Kendra's house is so fun to visit, never a dull blank canvas. She thinks outside the box - not only with imagery, but with purpose, too. You go, girl!

Adesso in Highland Park

2010-03-24T15:18:00.000-05:00

"Adesso has been a Highland Park destination for over 25 years. During that time, we have expanded and evolved to respond to the needs of our customers. We are committed to bringing together the very best of design and craft with our unique mix of products. Our on-line bridal registry has allowed a new generation of customers to bring us into their homes. We continue to serve our most loyal customers year after year and look forward to your continued trust in our service and products." - Adesso

What I found most interesting about Adesso is their selection. Believe me, I know there are many home product stores on the North Shore, but the inventory and selection Adesso has sets them apart from the rest. Not two table top presentations are the same. Not only that, I'm almost positive you will find something here to suit your taste and needs.

When I asked the sales person about these handkerchiefs, she said "I don't know if they are worth mentioning". Are you kidding me, I love these! There are so many to chose from, and with creative thinking, there are many ways to utilize these lost treasures. Sewn together, what a beautiful table cover it would make or wrap a set of silverware in one for a hostess gift.

Adesso has participated in The Glencoe Housewalk for many years. Their merchandise will be presented in one of the homes on the Housewalk this year as a table top.

Adesso

600 Central Street

Highland Park, IL

847-433-8525

http://www.shopadesso.com/

Don't Toss It, Change It!

2010-03-22T22:27:00.001-05:00

I love it when someone learns to work with a old piece of furniture and gives it another chance by changing it up, then welcoming it back into their home with a new admiration and appreciation.

When I visited Monica's house a month ago, I commented on a piece of furniture in her youngest daughter, Ava's room. She said "it didn't originally look like that" and began to tell me how she changed this unwanted piece of furniture into this shabby chic armoire perfect for any little girl's room. I was amazed because it looked original! I asked Monica to share the process with all of us:

"The armoire was redone by Rochelle Rodriguez, a Glencoe resident. First, I sanded down the armoire and remove the drawers and doors. Then Rochelle came over and painted it white. She also brought over a catalog of adornments and we chose the floral type pattern. She glued them on and painted them. Then, to give it an antique effect, she brushed a type of shellac over the entire armoire and then used a clean rag and rubbed it in and wiped some off. We reassembled the armoire and changed the wooden knobs to crystal ones. VOILA!"

If you have any tips on how you transformed a piece of furniture in your own home, like Monica did, send it my way! We'll be sure to post it for inspiration of learning to love it and not leave it.

Local Art Treasures

2010-03-20T08:50:00.003-05:00

If you are like me, always on a hunt to find new discoveries and know that Chicago offers talent waiting to be discover, this next piece will soothe your soul. I asked a local artist, here in Glencoe, for some recommendations and these are her links for mindful treasures in the Chicago area, some right here in your very own neighborhood.

Danny Mansmith – Off –beat, animated fiber artist from Chicago. His studio is a jaw-dropping experience of fantasy.
http://scrap-dannymansmith.squarespace.com

Sharon Graboys - Glencoe artist and free spirit, creates pillows of inspiration.

http://garson-gray.com/

Cindy Jevon - Evanston encaustic artist, forms waxed paintings and assemblage with intelligence and attitude. In her new Perfical Sense Studio, 1127 Florence Ave., Evanston (847) 316-1900, local artists offer workshops on various art techniques that provide for a Saturday afternoon of enjoyment for you and/or bonding time for you and your teen/tween. http://home.comcast.net/~tada.solutions/Artists/Jevon/ArtistPage_Jevon.html

Yuki Nyhan – Ravenswood studio potter crafts simple and elegant forms in porcelain.

http://www.artoverture.com/portfolio.aspx?intPortalID=21

Marcia Ginsburg- This mixed media artist brings her life experiences and whimsy to her work.
http://www.marciaginsberg.com/

Debra Zar - Local glass beadmaker, metalsmith, beadweaver, assemblage, mosaic and fiber artist creates magic.

http://www.debrazar.com/

Anne O’brien – Neighborhood egg tempora painter brings a different perspective to ordinary objects.

http://annpatrickobrien.com/

ELEMENO P

ART, WORDS AND IMAGES THAT INSPIRE

Check out this blog from an artist right in Highland Park, for additional art encouragement and inspiration:

http://elemenop123.blogspot.com

Designer Chat Recap

2010-03-19T10:37:00.003-05:00

Our very first, Designer Chat was conceptalized by a man. Who knew? Bob Michelson, husband to co-chair, Loree Sandler suggested it when she was planning the upcoming Housewalk and asked for ideas on how to put a spin on this biennial event, something new, something different.....He shared his idea; why not an evening with local residents and invite a few interior designers to come give tips and share their ideas? Well, that brilliant suggestion led us to last night's Designer Chat at Eric and Liz Lefkofsky's. They graciously open their home to 75 guests and what was the most beautiful day yet this year, turned into a lovely evening shared by many new and old friends. The guests were able to learn about the latest home trends from the pros, Missie Bender of Missie Bender Designs and Ann Kendall of Covet Studio. The event was held in one of the most gorgeous homes in Glencoe and was the perfect setting for a night to be inspired. Here are a few snapshots of some of the guests that attended:

The guests were led downstairs to the gymnasium for the presentation.

Ann and Missie led the night with a presentation of the process of hiring a interior designer and what follows with that trusted relationship, they also shared their forecast of home trends and ended with an open discussion with questions from the guests.

Trays were passed from one person to the next of samples that can define a room. Many of which incorporate today's trends with texture, including eco-friendly materials.

Announcements of the winners...

At the end of the night, Liz was asked to draw the winners of the raffle for the home accessories that Ann and Missie brought from their home collection. Sharon Graboys won a beautiful sculpture courtesy of Missie Bender Designs...

...and Nancy Barlow won the set of timeless frames courtesy of Covet Studio.

It was a lovely night indeed, a bit magical walking along the Lefkofsky's long drive way with the trees lit at night time, reflecting on the talents, generosity and shared appreciation with others for homes and design.

A Meaning Behind Everything She Does

2010-03-18T10:06:00.005-05:00

Lauren is a mom to Ethan and Coco, wife to Brian, jewelry designer, event specialist, personal chef and have you seen this woman, petite in stature, but talents galore! Lauren has always been passionate about real and raw creativity. She lives her life with meaning behind everything she does. She takes this motto and applies it to all her roles, from her family to her growing business of Serena Blake Jewels. (named after her children's middle names) What started out as creating jewelry for herself, Mother's Day three years ago, has grown to be a business with personal attention like no other.

When I started to write this blog, I made sure Lauren would let me feature her talents and expose her creations. Not only does she create these magnificent bracelets, but her efforts behind each piece is tremendously thought out. All her bracelets are made to order. She works with each individual one on one to create a special set that personally represents who they are and what they like - ensuring that your jewelry is one of a kind, just like you. She uses everything from semi-precious stones, ruby, pink opal, sapphire, coral, rose gold, sterling silver, pave diamonds and bone to exotic woods. My personal plug: her pieces are top-notch quality and she has superior workmanship. She's so willing to please, that if she doesn't have a material you want, she can specially order it for you.

When she envisioned her business, it was a criteria to keep it personal. With the growth, she is happy to say - she stayed true to that vision. She does not mass produce or saturated her pieces throughout stores. In fact, you will unlikely find her jewels sold anywhere other than in her home. She enjoys working with her clients and has to feel proud about what the end results are for each person. She will work through endless sessions until you are pleased with your piece. For warned, I guarantee you, she is extremely intuitive and brilliant, you won't have to say much, she automatically "gets you". She works with all budgets and her processing time from start to finish typically takes 2 1/2 weeks.

Have a friend in New York who wants to order? No problem! She works with many clients across the country over phone and email - she'll send pictures as a working progress - making sure everyone is on the same page. She has create gifts for bridal parties and graduations. Her bracelets are the perfect gesture for any age and occasion. She tailors to each individual and can help you create a gift or you can treat your special someone to have a personalized session with her. She is also available for private parties - now that, is a new and fun way to celebrate a special time with your girlfriends.

Her talent doesn't end there, Lauren has an extensive background in food and cooking. Lauren's interest in food began when she spent her childhood at her grandparents' diner in Brooklyn, New York. She learned most of her cooking skills and appreciation for food from her mother. When she was at college in Arizona, she worked at a restaurant to supplement her life. She worked from the front of the house to the kitchen. She took that talent and became a personal chef for many years before she met her husband, Brian, who is also in the food business. Together, they live a healthy lifestyle by creating their family's food pyramid with organic foods and making good choices. Her advice for happy family eating is to expose your children to new and interesting foods. Also, make the food "special, in it's presentation and adding something for creativity."

A creator of all sorts, it's natural for Lauren to enjoy entertaining and with the exposure to the food industry and mastering the works behind the curtain, she's a pro at throwing a fabulous party. The picture above is a party she hosted last summer in her own backyard. Could of fooled me, it looks like a wedding! In Lauren's words, "occasions are for celebration, we have to enjoy life and celebrate what we have."
She shared some her helpful party planning tips:

Set a budget and stick to it. Things can get out of hand if you don't set a limit.
Be resourceful when finding what you need. Also, know what you "need" and "want".
Set a theme, it's easier to plan for food and decorations.
If you are cooking, try new recipes. Lauren likes to cook for her guests and order some catering.
Mix it up. Try new things with every new party.
Invest on accessories you can carry on after the party; simple candle holders, vases...
Make it personal. Send an invitation in the mail, it's something about holding an invitation in your hands.

She recently surprised her husband, Brian, with a yoga-themed Birthday party. Here is a picture of the dessert table - check out that buddha cake. Lauren admits "it's all about the cake at her parties - making sure each one is special and yummy."

Of all her roles, the most rewarding one is being a mother and wife. With all she does, it was important to stream that mentality of meaningful creation to her family. She's always had a vision of being that house with the doors open for her friends, swimming in the pool, enjoying all that life offers and sharing those memories together. The family shares a passion for swimming - it was one of their most loved activity. She finds swimming to be therapeutic. Another trait her family shares is laughter - being able to laugh at each other is a requirement. Traditionally in the summer, her husband and son, Ethan take an annual "Boys on the Road" trip. They seek out a destination city and drive across the country. Lauren and daughter, Coco then meet them at the end of the road trip. They have traveled to the East Coast, to New Orleans and it looks like Canada is on the radar this summer.

From creating jewels, to planning a fabulous party, to swimming with her kids, all the many hats Lauren wears, she wears it well ensuring she does it with thought and integrity - a woman tapping into all the areas in her life with a meaningful touch, what's not to love about her?

If you are interest in Serena Blake Jewels, you may contact Lauren directly at: 312.617.8499 or email: laurendrosen@gmail.com

Cheeky Chicago recently featured Serena Blake Jewels, to read the full article click here.

Blending Old with New Beautifully

2010-03-15T23:32:00.006-05:00

It is very common to walk around in Valerie's house and say, "where did you find that?" She may reply with "I found that in this woman's garage, you wouldn't believe the deal I got" or she might say "can you believe no one wanted that, so i grabbed it!" Valerie has a true talent - she mixes old with new perfectly. Her keen eye in finding timeless pieces has me motivated to keep digging because what I want, already exist - now, if i can only find the twin sisters of each piece she has. It is always gratifying to use other people's yesterdays and incorporate them into your own home mixed with your key pieces - it brings a story to every corner of the house. She's done this beautifully, the pictures are only a teaser to the true stories behind them.

A corner as simple as this captures so many adjectives: polished, etched, rough, reflective, elegant and textured. Valerie's love for texture is shown throughout her home. She likes "objects with patina, a history".

Not only does Valerie acquire stunning pieces, her rooms represents moods, moods I'm sure she is unaware of. This is a picture of her living room, completely calm and not intimidating or stuffy - instead welcoming - it naturally invites you in.

What I admire about Valerie's decor is that everything is layered and easily moves around from one room to another. Her advice in accomplishing this is to "buy things you really love - true to your taste and style, that you can move from room to room, even a set you can break apart." Her dining room is a perfect example of that philosophy. You will notice the gold accents throughout this room. There are pieces in this room, that belong to a set in another room.

Valerie fills every opportunity in her home, creating vignettes - a seated area for a paused point. This corner is part of her dining room above. The prints are grouped together in this space instead of distributing them throughout all four walls, creating a sitting area, outside the norm of a formal dining room. Again, a mood to reflect that the dining area is not just for eating, but for conversation.

Every piece of furniture she welcomes home is family-friendly. It is her #1 requirement. She adds "don't bring something home you will worry about." The gorgeous sectional and ottoman in her family room are slipcovered so it's washable if needed. The homework table is added to keep the family in one central place after school into dinnertime.

This set of exquisite chairs were purchased at a second hand store after many eyes kept giving them a pass. They finally found their forever home in Valerie's family room. She takes an unique item like the urn on the table, and utilize it's texture and color, not it's purpose, to fine tune the design message here - refined royalty.

The steel cabinet disguising craft supplies, art activities and school supplies is one of Valerie's proudest finds. Consistently, she is attracted to the same lines and patterns - this helps to blend new finds with old ones. With matching lines, she can incorporate these pieces together easily. The structure above the cabinet has a swirl detail that matches the steel cabinet - both found at very different times. Valerie originally purchase the item to cover the vent and noticed the similarities later on.

This is an example of how a room can evolve around one piece of furniture. This antique sink was a pain to work with, but was the definer for this powder room. The only downfall when working with older pieces is finding people who can work with them and make them efficient in today's extremity. A long road well worth its journey, just look at it.

Valerie admits to adding a splash of red to each room - "it's a strong visual point". She suggests "decorating neutral backgrounds with a hint of red, you can never go wrong." You'll find this true, especially in her kitchen and eating area. Red is also the color to many beautiful (accessible) objects such as apples, flowers and a perfect partner to both white and black. What a fun combination of the rolling industrial island paired with rustic wood island. And those red chairs? So chic.

Who is this woman behind all this incredible work??? One of Valerie's favorite places is The Chicago Botanic Garden, her favorite event of all time, The Antique and Garden Fair is coming up April 16 - 18, 2010. She has a love affair with Italy and appreciates the way they live, the food, the fashion and the people. Her nights and weekends are spent at the hockey rink with her 3 kids: Taylor, Katie and Jack. Wife to Ted and mama to Coco, her dog. Her advice to staying warm at the rink is layering, layering and layering. If she wasn't at the rink, she would spend her time at a museum. Enjoys her day trips to the city when she can visit her favorite home stores for inspiration, Jayson's Home and Garden and Holly Hunt in the Mart. Adores the book "Designing Woman" featuring the work of sixteen contemporary trendsetters. Together, we are scheming a trip to Paris to visit the Paris Flea Market, or the English reference for "Le marche aux puces de Saint-Ouen" - a big birthday trip plan in the works for the both of us. We knew if we put it in writing, we'll feel some obligation.

Interior Design as a Career

2010-03-14T22:09:00.004-05:00

Interior Design is my passion and I'm very lucky to have it as a career. Like many of my contemporaries, I was not sure what I wanted to do when I finished college. I entertained the thought of going to law school, but was offered an incredible position living in New York running a marketing company. After 5 years, the company was sold and I needed Plan B. That was when I decided to go to design school. At the time I was getting married and wanted a rewarding career, but would also allow me to be with my family. I came back to Chicago and attended The Harrington Institute of Interior Design.

I've been an Interior Designer for 15 years. I been able to work with some very inspirational people. During my career, I spent most of my time decorating residential and vacation homes. I recently moved back from south Florida where I decorated with vivid colors, this has helped me bring a mixture of contemporary flare blended with traditional style to the Midwest. Over the years, I have come to enjoy all styles having been expose to so many different environments. I enjoy incorporating those styles and make them come together.

After my clients express their dream environment to me, I start designing a space that will be livable and comfortable. Design has several starting points. Some of my clients need help defining their style. I work knowing I don't live in my client's space, I want the rooms to be a reflection of who they are. To me, being creative and being able to plan space is a small part of the design process. The real process is more sociological.

I always start the process by asking a client, "what colors make you feel happy and why?" I also believe that your home identifies your likes, dislikes, your travels, your family history and who you are and where you been. Even growing up, I viewed a person's environment as a history lesson. When a person has an appreciation for family history, they can build their whole foundation on the importance of preserving the past and plan for the future that encompasses both significance.

The most rewarding opportunity I work with is when there is a raw space where two individuals are coming together. I find that when I can identify two individuals' environments and make it a place for them to cohabitate and share their life: the finish product and the gratification is unparalleled.

I also enjoy helping people who need direction and enhancing their own personal style. Here are some of my designing advice:

1. Find a muse. Start your room around a painting or fabric and let it lead the way.

2. Don’t let a designer talk you into a look. Its your space, let your personally show. “Think timeless.”

3. Use furniture or accessories from family members. Having a piece of your grandparents' furniture is so important. Pass down memories will make the environment more unique.

4. On your travels, bring things back for your home. Collecting exciting things from around the world will fill your home with memories.

5. Change small items in the room for each season. It makes the room fresh and the change will feel as things are evolving.

Being an interior designer was a great career choice for me. I am growing my business and at the same time, raising my children. Designing is my passion and is very rewarding when I have accomplished my clients goals.

Kim Flashner Interior Designs, Inc.

847-208-5411
kimflashner@gmail.com

A LOOK AT BOOKS from Housewalk co-chair Loree Sandler

2010-03-13T22:36:00.000-06:00

There are many ways to think about home design and décor. Certainly some people have a strong sense of style and enjoy the process of personalizing their space soup to nuts. Others shout, “HELP,” lacking the desire, time or confidence to decorate without professional assistance. There are those who could not care less, but they are likely not reading this blog, and then there are the rest of us. Shelter books and magazines are consulted for tips, eye candy, and resources. We want inspiration.

Meg and Steven Roberts of The Echo Design Group have put out three beautiful coffee table books to provide just such inspiration. These books represent different ways to think about decorating and home life. A Home for All Seasons speaks to seasonal light, holidays, moods, while Time at Home focuses on the hours of the day, and where you are likely to spend your time within your space.

While we are often instructed to look at swatches of paint at various times of the day - in sunshine and rain, we don’t always think: “I am in my bedroom at night and early morning – so what looks best then?” Likewise, while we sometimes throw seasonal decorations up, we don’t articulate: “I am happiest in the summer, so I’m going to surround myself with things that remind me of sunshine.” These books add another decorating dimension to consider if you’re looking to change things up.

In 2008, I had a blast as a local location scout and stylist for their third book, Color at Home. What you’ll find inside are not only an array of shades for every room in the house, and inspiration galore, you’ll find some of Glencoe’s treasures. Think that green garage is familiar, or you’ve seen that striped wall before? In fact, one of the homes featured in the book was a Glencoe PTO Housewalk house favorite!
Glencoe has a wealth of style and a community willing to share knowledge and resources. Come out on May 19^th and be inspired. Who knows, the houses you see up close might one day end up in the next shelter book you buy!

*to purchased any of the books mention above, click on the highlighted title to be directly linked to The Echo Design Group's website*

Whimsy, Fun and Color

2010-03-12T09:44:00.004-06:00

Meet my friend Kendra beautiful, isn't she! Here, she sits on a church pew in her dining room. A little birdie on her shoulder and rooster over her head. These are the kinds of "not so typical" set-ups you'll find in her home - out of sort, but only in her house does it fly. Kendra describes her decorating style as "fun, comfortable, creative, casual. I obviously love color and lots of it." Oh, we believe you, Kendra!

You walk into her living room - a pretty shade of yellow. The righteous beginning to start the path to the rest of the house, starting here with a burst of sunshine and work your way to the bright pink family room. As you walk into her house, you can't help but to look around to take in all the details and creativity she puts into each room.

The kitchen, no designers' rules apply here. The ceiling is green, the trim is blue, the backsplash is checkered green and black, the cabinets are yellow. Hanging from above are beautiful paper birds. Kendra credits her friend, Stacy Litow by saying "I always like to say I know what I like, but could have never put it together without my friend Stacy Litow. She is AMAZING with color among other things."

There's not one space in her home that is left without color or touch of creativity. Not only a mother of 3, an artist, too. You'll find her free hand art work throughout the house, like the flower vine flowing through her kitchen.

One of Kendra's favorite piece is this "central family communication center." It was a furniture piece that Kendra had built-in the kitchen. Each family member has a drawer to keep their belongings and each labeled with their names.

Her downstairs hallway is painted in pink stripes with a chalkboard door to write notes to each other. Kendra saids "I always have a million projects in my head, of what else I want to do next, and they never seem to get done. First on the list... finish painting the rest of my dining room chairs blue!" Three of her dining chairs are blue, the other 5 are white, but when walking through, I thought they were suppose to be that way. This is what exactly her house expresses that "nothing is wrong".

In Kendra words: "We love entertaining at our house. The 'party' lights stay up all year. Turn down the lights - so no one can see the dirt - and turn on the party lights. They make any event more festive, whether it's dinner with friends, Friday night and I suddenly have 10 teenagers in my house eating pizza or Sunday dinner with just our family."

And here it is, the hot pink family room along with fun graphic printed furniture. I admire Kendra's sense of style to think outside box and stay true to what she likes and not what is right or wrong. These pictures are just the rooms, part 2 (later on) will show all the details...stay tune.

Raffle Tickets On Sale Now!

2010-03-10T23:34:00.001-06:00

Are you feeling lucky?

The Housewalk raffle tickets are on sale online now, and the prizes are fabulous. The drawing is May 19, and you do not have to be present to win…but you can’t win if you don’t play! Tickets will also be sold at the Interior Designer Chat and other upcoming PTO events.

One Week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming – One week in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 bath home in Teton Village for use in summer or winter by July 2011

Writers’ Theatre – Two Season Memberships to Writers’ Theatre 2010/2011 Season and gift certificates for dining at Meg’s Café, Mirani’s and Tapas Gitana

A Night at Ravinia – Four pavilion seats, a premier parking pass, and a $200 gift certificate for dinner at the Park View Restaurant

Krista K Private Shopping Party - Private shopping party with refreshments and hors d'oeuvres and 20% off purchases for up to 20 friends, winner also receives a pair of jeans of her choice

Rachelle Anne Photography Sitting – Private photo session including 100 custom photo cards

Yoga Package – A yoga party or two private sessions with a certified instructor, a new yoga mat, and a collection of yoga music on CD

Sports Consultation & Physical Exam by pediatrician, Dr. Kudus Akinde - complete head-to-toe physical sports exam including the assessment of strength, mobility, flexibility and reflexes with discussion of nutritional needs and general protection of a young athlete

Individual prizes also include $200 gift certificate from Lenswork Studio, jewelry from Shelle Jewelers, gift certificate at Glencoe Nails....

Thank you for supporting Glencoe students with your purchase!

Looking for....

2010-03-09T17:44:00.002-06:00

Hi Guest,

Just a refresher, if you are looking for the older posts or missed them, click on the link "older posts" at the very bottom. It will take you to the beginning. Thanks again for reading!

xo,
Maleesa

p.s.
We are looking for more submissions, think about sharing your story!

Twigs in Lake Bluff

2010-03-09T17:37:00.004-06:00

There's a new kid in town, Twigs in Lake Bluff just opened its door in October 2009. I visited Jeannie, the owner and capture these images of her breath-taking arrangements. If you want clean, crisp, and simplicity - Twigs is your flower stop. They specialize in small arrangements - think Martha Stewart and is a full service shop.

Jeannie wanted to bring a flower shop to Lake Bluff because she saw a need for it. After raising her kids nearby, her youngest going to college, it was her time to pursue her passion. Not only does Twigs sell flowers, they also sell an array of cards, gifts and art work from local artists.

For being a new and small shop, Twigs offer a wide selection of flowers. I was thrilled to see one of my favorites, the kale flower - always hard to find. If you like designing your own arrangements and looking for unique and beautiful stems head to Twigs - it's like no other.

This is Twig's first year supporting our housewalk and we welcome them with enthusiasm. They have graciously donated flower arrangements to be viewed in one of the homes this year.

Keeping The History Of A House

2010-03-07T20:59:00.008-06:00

I could never do justice of how significant the story of this house is, but I hope a brief background can fuel the imagination of its importance in the hands of my friend, Laura. This 1928 Tudor Revival house originally belong to her in-laws. Her husband, Pat had wonderful memories growing up in the house and when his parents decide to move to Colorado permanently, they wanted to sell it. Both Pat and Laura saw the opportunity to purchase it. Not only did they want to keep it in the family and preserve its history, but Laura has always been in love with the sunken living room. It's completely true to its history, from the classic molding on walls to the etched crown molding that sits up high.

One of her favorite finds while stripping 1970's wallpaper and layers of paint throughout the house, was the true bare surface of the fireplace. It was covered in 6 layers of paint and while stripping it, they found how truly beautiful the structure was. Since then, they left the fireplace completely undone in its original bare surface.

Can you imagine the above room divided in half? This guest bedroom was equally divided in the middle and originally were two rooms. The wall that divided this room was in the middle of the big window pictured. Each room had a closet, as pictured here as two. The two rooms were built as part of the original house where the resident servants lived back in the 1920/30's. This part of the house was a separate living quarter that consist of a stairway that led outside. Laura and Pat knocked down the wall and turned the two rooms into a guest room. Now, when the parents visit their old house, they can sleep in the new luxurious room.

before

after

The smallest transformation they made that gave the home one of the biggest impact was their family room. Above is a picture of the enclosed porch, back when they first moved in. Below that is how the room is today, what a difference! All they did was put up drywall, add trim around the windows and walls, re-carpet the room in a fun leopard print (go Laura!) and add a fresh coat of paint - Voila! Shows how bright and airy a room can be with simple solutions.

Another wonderful find they discovered under layers of wallpaper was this niche underneath their staircase in the hallway. In the 1920's, homes were built to have these niches to hold the house telephone. It is true to the rest of the house, as it has the beautiful arches like the opening to her living room.

When they decided to remodel the kitchen, as one of their very last projects of their renovation, they wanted to keeps its charm. In this area of the kitchen, they kept the original top cabinets and just replaced the hardware. Below, they added a beverage refridegerator and drawers. The hardware on all the new drawers are the hardware from the old kitchen, staying true to its original details.

Both Laura and Pat are phenomenal cooks. Their Viking stove is a treasured purchase and believe me if anyone will used this to its death, it's those two. The middle section of the stove has griddle top. They used it a couple times, but found it is hard to clean - hard as in, impossible. Luckily, Laura had kept all the leftover marble from the kitchen. She brilliantly had a piece cut to fit perfectly over the griddle area. The now covered area helps hold serving platters when she cooks, ingredients to be used and because it's essentially heat-proof, she can set pans and pots on it, too. Here is the close-up:

A old house done right, when staying true to its charm and roots, but enhancing it for today's lifestyle.

The Art Store and Gallery

2010-03-06T19:08:00.004-06:00

The Art Store and Gallery in Glencoe has been in business for 37 years. They do custom framing and sell poster prints in-store. They pride themselves on personal service by establishing one to one relationships with their customers. One of the many reasons why, Jerry the owner, continues to hold the loyalty of customers who moved to the East and West coasts. Through word of mouth, Jerry has also build a clientele from the city.

The shop itself offers in-home consultation and provides a hanging pictures service. All the framing is done on the premises and can take 1-3 weeks. They also offer pick up and delivery services for your convenience. They give discounts to students and on multiple orders.

Jerry estimate he holds 2500 frame samples. He is always willing to work with each customer's request and offer his suggestions to find the best solutions for your framing needs. Jerry suggest that framing art work will not only protect its characteristics, but protect it's value.

Art Store and Gallery
668 Vernon Avenue
Glencoe, IL 60022-1694
(847) 835-2770

Cherishing the History in Your Home and Making New Memories through Travel

2010-03-05T18:44:00.002-06:00

Denise has lived in her 1928 English Tudor home for 10 years. She grew up in one and wanted the same for her 3 boys: Jake (17), Michael (15) and Nick (12). I have always been intrigue with mothers raising boys only. Through listening and learning about it through Denise, I can honestly say, I give mothers with just boys, my greatest respect. She talked about a recent trip to Paris. Through researching, Denise came across a cafe that was known to serve the best hot chocolate and croissants. She was anticipating the moment she could try for herself. The taste exceeded her expectations and was thrilled with the experience. On the other hand, the boys thought it was "a big waste of time". She spends a great deal watching sports, listening about brackets and fantasy leagues. They play golf, she does not. They all want to watch the same guy movies, she much rather pick a romantic comedy. There is one thing they all enjoy doing, traveling.

In Denise's favorite room, the study, where they spend most of their time on weekends, hangs an elephant mask they brought home from their most recent vacation to Africa. As her sons are getting older, she makes the time to take a family vacation once a year to a foreign land. With her oldest being a junior, she feels there is less and less time to spend with him. The family has traveled to Italy, France, Israel and most recently her favorite, Africa. She expressed that experience as "beautiful, surround by nature and animals and the friendliest people".

Denise's best advice in planning a vacation and enjoying the trip is to:

Take the time to research. Read books, travel guides, look online and talk to people. Denise's typical planning can take several months of research
Splurge and hired a tour guide. It will be worth all the money to see and learn about things you might miss.

Although Denise tries to bring something home from every trip, she said shopping with boys is "impossible". She brought home a kimono from Japan that hangs upstairs. Her prized souvenir is her Fortuny chandelier she brought home from Italy.

Going to museums while traveling is Denise's favorite thing to do. Her favorite is Musee Dorsay in Paris. It is housed in an old train station. There are so many other places she'll like to visit: China, Greece, Turkey and Egypt.

The special pieces Denise has in her home has been pass down to her from generations before. This is a picture of her grandma from 1930. In her own words she describes the sentimental value, "My grandfather, Joe Fineman, was a dentist with his brother, George. During the depression he did some extensive dental work on an artist named Issac Rader. The artist couldn't pay his bill and offered to do portraits of my grandmother, Rose, and George's wife, my Aunt Beck, to settle what he owed their practice. This was done in 1930 and both portraits became the most cherished family heirlooms in both families after this generation had passed on. I saw my grandmother every week growing up. She was a refined, beautiful woman, who loved to entertain. She was an amazing cook and loved her garden. I love to see my grandmother everyday in this portrait, she died at 93 in 2000."

In her own words explaining The Diego Riveria lithographs in her home: "My grandfather Nathan Milstein was a lawyer for a firm that represented Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit in the late 1920s. In about 1931 or 1932 Frida Kaho was in the hospital while her husband Diego RIvera was painting the mural at the Detroit Institute of Arts. They had immigration/visa issues and somehow found out about my grandfather through the hospital. My grandfather did the legal work for them and in the process traveled to their home in Mexico as their guest. This bill was paid and in addition, Diego Rivera gave my grandfather a series of 12 lithographs that he signed for him and a pencil drawing that he inscribed: "to my friend Nathan Milstein from Diego Rivera." After my grandfather died in 2003 at 95, the 4 grandchildren each got 3 of the lithos which I have here in my home."

Another family heirloom is their piano. The piano was a gift to Denise's husband, Daniel from his mother. It now belongs to her oldest son, Jake, a talented musician.

During my visit, I was fortunate to listen to Jake play the piano. It was mesmerizing to listen to, he plays so beautifully. Jake plays jazz piano in a quintet, Daniel Berky Quintet. He also plays gigs on the North Shore, including regular performances at JP McCarthy's in Winnetka.

Jake is available to play at events, anything from dinner parties to weddings. He can play classical music and takes special requests from the audience. He can be reached at jakeham@comcast.net or (847) 254-7269.

An Apple A Day

2010-03-04T18:45:00.002-06:00

An Apple A Day Catering has been a Glencoe business for 25 years. When they moved to their 3rd location on Park Ave., they introduced Meg's Cafe. Meg's is named after, the owner Barb's daughter. An Apple A Day is a full service catering business. They provide food, linens, a full staff, floral arrangements and entertainment. They can host a small dinner party to a large wedding. Amy, the manager said "we love to cater for large events - the more the merrier". I asked if she was nervous about catering the Housewalk luncheon that can attract up to 600 guests. This is their first year helping with the event. She replied, "it will be so much fun".

The restaurant often features "today's special" for lunch and dinner. The daily specials are based on customers' requests and seasonal ingredients. The Chicken Pot Pie is a popular special along with the Sweet Potato Souffle, offer only in the Fall. They serve 4 different kinds of soups everyday, including their popular Tomato Bisque. They offer beer and wine. They also sell their famous "An Apple A Day" chicken salad, along with other appetizing choices at the deli.

Barb was kind enough to share the recipe to the famous "Megan Cookies". The cookie recipe was given to Barb when Meg was born, along with a fresh batch of Megan cookies.

Megan Cookies

*note these measurements are for a large batch, divide ingredients in half/quarter for a smaller batch*

4 c. brown sugar

4 c. sugar

3 lbs. margarine

12 beaten eggs

6 tsp. baking soda

6 tsp. baking powder

6 tsp. vanilla

4 c. walnuts

4 c. coconut

4 c. butterscotch

4 c. raisins

4 c. oats

12 c. flour

Mix all wet ingredients together. Mix all dry ingredients together. Mix both wet and dry altogether with a stand mixer. Form small balls and place on a cookie sheet 2 inchs apart. Bake until lightly golden brown in 350 degree oven.

An Apple A Day Catering & Meg's Cafe

317 Park Ave.

Glencoe, IL 60022

(847) 835-2620

www.anappleadaycatering.com

Monday-Friday 10:30-8:00 pm

Saturday- 9:30-8:00 pm

Sunday-open for catering

An Apple A Day will be providing boxed lunches for The Glencoe Housewalk on May 19, 2010 at the luncheon house.

Anything, But Retail

2010-03-04T11:38:00.004-06:00

1. My guys- Quite simply, my three sons and my husband are my purpose in life and my greatest source of light and joy and inspiration (and exasperation at times – but that’s a whole different story - the things we are the most passionate about in this lifetime will always be the things that evoke the greatest range of intense emotions in us). These guys are my world… my loves…my irrefutable evidence that life is indeed good…they are the most exquisite embellishments in my life and my home.

2. My sisterhood of friends – In my male dominated life (I am so outnumbered in my home), I have come to profoundly value the sanctity of my female friendships. I am truly blessed to count some of the most extraordinary women among my friends. They are kind and brilliant and generous and talented. I am madly in love with them and humbled and enriched by them. They have enabled me to show my children what true friendship really looks like so that my boys will grow up to have discerning but receptive hearts. My home is most beautiful and my days are richest when they are in them.

3. My music – There is a reason why music is a part of so many religious rituals. No matter what G-d you worship (if any), music is one of his or her greatest gifts to us. Music can transport me when I want to get out of my head and “be” somewhere else or it can vividly enhance the experience of whatever I am doing or feeling. It is constantly wafting through my home. My bliss is going to concerts with my family (Gomez, John Butler Trio, Bob Schneider are but a few of our most favorite shows). I love that no matter how old they get, my boys remain willing to share the experience of live music with me. A good concert, it would appear, is always “cool”. If you are inclined, you can check out some of my favorite mixes on I -Tunes <-Click to hear samples.

4. My home – “SO YOU” would be the comment I most hear when people first visit my home. I am not sure if that means the visitor actually likes it or not – but I know, good or bad, it is an accurate characterization. With its almost schizophrenic eclecticism, my home does seem to reflect the people who live in it. “Anything but retail” would be my decorating mantra. Much of what decorates my home is from flea markets, estate sales, people’s basements, the side of the road…it’s almost all found objects that are re-fashioned and re-purposed to suit our tastes and needs. Here are a few of my decorating strategies…

a. I like to blur the lines between inside and out. Window treatments make me a little claustrophobic so my windows are largely unadorned. I try to bring a lot of the outdoors in – all the natural light I can capture and plenty of garden and architectural elements.

b. I tend to prefer an unexpected juxtaposition of disparate decorating elements in all of my rooms (mod fabric on a Victorian sofa frame, industrial fixtures in an otherwise formal room, etc.). I love the synergy between the roughed up and the slightly more pristine.

c. I try not to buy into the notion that there is a “right” and therefore a “wrong” way to decorate our spaces. We are privileged to live in an area where there is simply one sublime house after another. It is thrilling to admire these magnificent structures – but, on a fragile day, one might feel just a little intimidated. The goal is to create our own personal space that speaks to us and evokes a sense of peace and contentedness…then, all the relative comparisons become immaterial.

(outside)

5. My escape – Our cabin in the woods in Waterford, Maine provides our perfect respite from the real world. It is our heaven on earth - a sacred re-treat where we re-connect, re-fuel, re-examine, re-lease, and really really find peace and joy. A simple cedar box with a metal roof that asks almost nothing of me in terms of maintenance, our cabin was designed and built as a reaction to the many challenges that come with living in the oldest standing house in Glencoe (in other words, I actually have storage space in the cabin even though my life there is very simple and I don’t really have anything to “store”, and, the cabin is climatically sound so my kids do not have to eat their cereal with mittens on).

(inside)

6. My fleeting obsessions – OK- right now, I am ALL about the “Flash Mob” thing. I am totally serious. I am addicted to the pure positivity of this whole trend like a drug. There is something about masses of people organized for the collective purpose of merely bringing joy that is so very hopeful…so affirming. It is precisely what I want to believe about humanity. Check some of these out…I dare you not to smile:

a. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVQorfIX84

b. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

c. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orukqxeWmM0

d. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QVQSZA9zSk

(the inspiration)

(at home)

7. My search for treasures – My favorite material acquisition of the year is definitely our Peace Pole. When my eldest son returned from a summer in Nepal, we noticed these peace poles in many of his photos. With research, we learned about a whole international Peace Pole Movement that we simply had to be a part of. The poles all say, “May peace prevail on earth” in any number of languages you choose. The novelty of our peace pole has not worn off… when I pass it as I approach our home, I exhale and think peaceful thoughts and feel a palpable calm. I would love everybody in Glencoe to have one…we could have all sorts of Peace Pole planting ceremonies and become the “Peace Pole Town”. Find out more http://www.peacepoleproject.org.

Destination for Inspiration

2010-03-04T09:32:00.000-06:00

Material Possessions celebrates 30 years of retail success! Discover a store with unique ambiance and warmth, nestled in the middle of a big city and in the heart of its North Shore. At Material Possessions, it's been their pride and pleasure to open their doors every day for the past 30 years and welcome clients and customers as if they were guests in their own homes.

Take a journey! Make it an adventure or a much needed reprieve; it's all at your fingertips and at your leisure in Material Possessions. Welcome to linger, take it all in and be inspired. This is the place to cultivate your unique sense of style and express its pride.

These decorative boxes are sculpted by hand and cast from impressions of nature. They are man made pieces and each box is hand-detailed and finished. Opens to store your treasures and keep them safe.

This stunning plush object is an exercise ball. How clever, you would of never known! These beauties are made from eco-friendly materials. The functional balls can be decoratively covered in array of fabrics and colors. The exercise balls are available in two sizes. The outer cover can be taken off to be cleaned.

Definitely worth an afternoon venture to satisfy your earthly desires, surrender to your mortal longings and surround yourself with Material Possessions.

Material Possessions offers Bridal Registry both in-store and on-line. They also offer At-Home Accessorizing Services.

Material Possessions

954 Green Bay Road

Winnetka, IL 60093

(847) 446-8840

www.materialpossessions.com

Material Possessions have been an active supporter of the The Glencoe PTO Housewalk for years. Their unique products will be featured as a table top in one of the houses. Material Possessions offers ravishing home accessories from silverware to chandeliers. A definite staple to find gifts for that special person and occasion.

Wallpaper Done Right

2010-03-03T23:45:00.018-06:00

When looking at the above picture, you would never guess it is a wallpaper room. You must see it in person to believe it and appreciate how much warmth it creates for this family room. I, and I'm sure many others have been apprehensive about wallpaper. Monica David gave us some helpful advice when picking wallpaper for our homes and how to make it work, so we love it and can live with it:

Look at everything in the room when deciding. Put the sample by the floor, how do they look together? Consider what kind of window treatments are/will be used.
Make sure there is consistency throughout the house. Try to keep the same wallpaper through the foyer, main hallway, along the stairs to the upstairs hallway.
Go through all the wallpaper possibilities. That way, when you can narrow it down, you feel confident about your choices.
Consider wallpaper as art. When you use wallpaper, it adds character and definition to the walls. It gives you something to look at.
Wallpaper will give you the most bang for your buck when re-doing a room.

Monica uses Paper Dolls in Highland Park. It is also crucial and the most important factor to process to find someone with experience and knowledge when hanging wallpaper.

If you chose a strong solid hue with texture, this one is of a crocodile texture, use it in a room that catches a lot of light. This will help show the details of the wallpaper and give the room a glow. Imagine this room lit up at night time with that beautiful chandelier!

When the family moved in, there was a wall separating the living room and office. Whenever Monica sat in the office, she felt claustrophobic. She suggest opening both rooms by adding french doors. Because the rooms are small, pocket doors were install to give more space in each room. Now, the doors can be completely open to adjoin rooms or closed for privacy. Note how well the wallpaper moves easily from one room to another.

This is Monica's favorite wallpaper. I have to agree! The geometric pattern is fun, yet classy. It is the perfect wallpaper for a small space such as a powder room. The chandelier screams glamour!

With 2 girls and 4 bedrooms, the family did not need an extra bedroom. Instead of traditionally turning it into a guest bedroom, they turned the extra room into a lounge. What a great escape from the main floor and conveniently located on the second floor for late night TV.

In one of the bedrooms, to bring the blue out from the wallpaper, a blue chandelier was hung and the ceiling was painted the same color. The once upon of time pink lamp shades were change to blue ones to help the color pop even more.

On her daughter's wall hangs a collage of pictures of memories, family and friends. Monica vowed to make these collages for her girls when they turn 10 years old. She's working on the 2nd one for her youngest daughter who will 10 this year. What a gift to cherish.

Designer Chat Tickets SOLD OUT!

2010-03-02T22:21:00.002-06:00

DESIGNER CHAT TICKETS

ARE SOLD OUT!

Don't delay, make sure you get your

Housewalk Tickets for May 19, 2010 on

The Glencoe PTO website.

click above to be directly linked to the website

To put your name on a wait list to attend the Interior Designer Chat,
please e-mail Julie Hayes at teamhayes@yahoo.com.
Include a phone number where you can be reached
at the evening of March 18.

The Organic Gardener

2010-03-02T22:04:00.003-06:00

I met Jeanne and Sara for a half hour on a Monday afternoon and left feeling completely motivated to start planning a vegetable garden for my family. Jeanne is the owner of The Organic Gardener, right here in Glencoe. They are a full service gardening team who consult, design, install and educate families on vegetable gardens.

They start planning with families in March and April and continue their work through the end of the season, in October. A garden can be as small as 20 square feet to as large as 4,000 square feet. Their work doesn't end when the seeds are planted. They continue to visit the family every 2 weeks for 1-2 hours. With this time, they help with the maintenance of the garden and provide continuing education.

Some of the most popular vegetables that are planted are tomatoes, basil, green beans, peas, peppers and cucumbers. A new favorite is edamame! Because planting organic vegetables should be fun and interesting for everyone, Jeanne suggests getting the little ones involved by planing vegetables, like green beans in a variety of colors including yellow and purple.

I asked Jeanne what inspire her to become "The Organic Gardener". She shared that it's "become a lifestyle, a full circle experience" and that she wants to "share that with others." With two kids, she's grateful she can provide organic produce for her daughters from the garden to table. She notes that gardening with children provides them with a connection to nature, something modern day kids are less and less aware of.

One of the benefits to organic gardening is that it simply creates healthy eating habits. We are 2 times as likely to eat more fruits and vegetables when it comes from our own backyard. The taste and quality of the organic produce are far more superb compared to what we buy at the grocery stores. All the reasons in the world to get started on your own vegetable garden!

Jeanne and Sara kindly gave us an insight on their gardening must-haves:

Hunter Boots

A Straw Hat

Organic Seeds and Plants

Wipe-Off Plant Markers for Kids

The Organic Gardener

110 Maple Hill Road - Coach House

Glencoe, IL 60022

847-636-2720

jeanne@theorganicgardener.net

www.theorganicgardener.net

The Organic Gardener is helping The PTO Housewalk by graciously donating beautiful centerpieces that will be featured on the Housewalk. These centerpieces will be constructed with vegetables and herbs.

Prufrock, a gem in Hubbard Woods

2010-03-02T14:46:00.009-06:00

When you enter Prufrock, you almost feel transported to another land. The shop's merchandise is uniquely staggered around and the organic displays of nature, texture and subtle colors give you a nice pause before moving on to the next timeless piece.

You are greeted by both Sam and Randy, owners of the business of 8 years and their three Jack Russell Terriers: Nip, Tuck and Gracie.

Prufrock offers a variety of plants, pots, home decor, flowers and ribbons galore. The French ribbon collection is available by the yard ranging from $3/yard to $20/yard. All the ribbons are from Paris and can be use for array of projects: accenting vases, used for trims, add to a collection and some are even sewing quality.

Prufrock also offer classes and can host private parties. They teach classes around the North Shore. As I am writing this, they are teaching a class tomorrow to a group of 25 women planting in sea shells. What a creative idea! They can open their space to host private parties up to 10 individuals. Need their help elsewhere? They also do events, most recently a baby shower from a past wedding. A true testament that these guys and their dogs know what they're doing.

Prufrock

897 Green Bay Road

Winnetka, IL 60093

(847) 784-3400

Store Hours:

Monday - Friday 10-4

Saturday 10-3

Closed Sunday

Prufrock continues to support The Glencoe PTO Housewalk by donating flower arrangements to be showcase in one of the houses on this year's Housewalk.

Tips On Maintaining and Preserving Your Orchid's Full Potential

2010-03-02T14:04:00.008-06:00

Orchids are one of the loveliest plants we can have in our homes. They offer beauty and can last up to 3 months. They can also be intimidating, having such delicacy and us not having the proper knowledge to care for them. Brooke, Designer and Manager of The Flower Shop in Glencoe, shares some helpful tips on taking care of Orchids so they can thrive in our home environment:

Place 2-3 ice cubes of water in the pot every week. This is enough water for a 6 inch orchid. The ice cubes are the perfect portion of water. The melting of the ice cubes also help water the orchid slowly without over saturating it.
Because orchids naturally grow on trees, they like humidity. You'll see the ones placed in bathrooms do the best.
Orchids do not like direct sunlight. Place the plant indirectly from the sun in a well-shaded area.
These plants do not like drafts, so best to keep away from doorways and vents.
Orchids can last for 2 - 3 months with the proper care.

Walter (owner) and Brooke (designer/manager) are available to answer any of your questions at The Flower Shop in Glencoe. The flower shop offers floral arrangements, flower deliveries, silk flowers, installations, event planning, outdoor urn design and sell gifts and potted plants. They offer an array of orchids to be purchase and can place special orders upon request.

The Flower Shop of Glencoe
693 Vernon Avenue
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-5390

Store Hours
Monday-Saturday 9 am - 5pm

The Flower Shop in Glencoe has been in business with Walter as the owner for 15 years. He has participate in The Glencoe Housewalk for as long as he can remember. They have graciously donated floral arrangements that will be featured at this year's event.